By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - The tent where an Egyptian Christian congregation had met was set afire and completely destroyed this month by Islamist arsonists.
According to Barnabas Aid, the congregation had used the tent for worship services after authorities had sealed-off their church building one year ago. The closure was prompted by violent protests from neighbors who were enraged that a church was operating in their mostly Muslim neighborhood.
In Egypt, Muslims only need permission from their local council to construct a mosque. However, under a law that dates back to the Ottoman Empire, Christians may only build a church with the approval of the Egyptian head of state after their Muslim neighbors agree to the construction.
As a result, it has been problematic for Christians to build any churches in Egypt.